Rakuten Mobile, Japan’s newest and most modern mobile network, and AST SpaceMobile, the company building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by standard mobile phones, has announced the successful completion of the first-ever broadband video call between everyday unmodified smartphones in Japan using a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite, held in April 2025.
The video call marks a step toward the launch of Rakuten Saikyo Satellite Service Powered by AST SpaceMobile, which aims to expand connectivity across Japan – including mountainous regions, remote islands and in emergency situations such as areas affected by natural disasters.
As part of their partnership launched in March 2020, Rakuten Group and AST SpaceMobile aim to provide satellite-to-mobile broadband services (voice calls, video calls and more) in Japan starting in the fourth quarter of 2026, using AST SpaceMobile’s LEO satellites and everyday smartphones. AST SpaceMobile launched its commercial LEO BlueBird satellites on September 12, 2024.
During the test, radio waves were transmitted from Rakuten Mobile’s gateway earth station in Fukushima Prefecture to a BlueBird Block 1 satellite, which then relayed the signal to a smartphone. This enabled broadband communication between Fukushima and Tokyo using a standard communication app on an everyday unmodified smartphone, demonstrating direct satellite-to-smartphone connectivity.
The video call was completed on standard, unmodified smartphones available in Japan. The test was conducted after securing a preliminary license for an experimental test station. Rakuten Mobile plans to obtain a full experimental test station license and continue further communication testing.
Regarding the step, Mickey Mikitani, the chairman and CEO of Rakuten Group, commented, “We are delighted to achieve the first-ever mobile broadband video call in Japan between a smartphone and satellite, proving this groundbreaking technology once again. In Japan, Rakuten Mobile is adopting various strategies to broaden our network’s reach. It can be challenging to extend coverage to remote and mountainous areas due to the difficulties in constructing base stations in these remote places. Japan is also a country prone to natural disasters and people’s awareness of the effects of climate change and increasingly severe disasters is increasing year by year. We’re democratising the mobile industry – Rakuten Mobile will continue to accelerate this project until we realise a future in which mobile communication is accessible to all.”
Abel Avellan, the founder, chairman and CEO of AST SpaceMobile, commented, “AST SpaceMobile’s journey to connect the unconnected reaches new milestones thanks to the commitment and strength of our strategic partnerships. These partners, including Rakuten Mobile, believe wholeheartedly in our mission to build the first and only space-based cellular broadband network to eliminate coverage gaps and bridge the digital divide.”
Rakuten Mobile and AST SpaceMobile’s ongoing collaboration promises to transform connectivity in Japan, ensuring Rakuten Mobile customers can enjoy convenient and reliable communication services anywhere they need.
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